There has been no sound scientific study linking Endosulfan to adverse health effects in India or anywhere in the world. In response to claims connecting Endosulfan with human disorders in Kerala and Dakshina Kannada, six committees and expert groups were set up by the Government of Kerala, Government of India and the Government of Karnataka. Each committee concluded that none of the alleged victims were affected by Endosulfan. The committee findings have been methodically dismissed at the will of vested interests in the form of NGOs and possibly, media. Is it coincidence that EU made donations to these NGOs at the same time that it was seeking to phase-out Endosulfan production?
India’s NGOs:
Many erroneous reports emerged from the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) report titled, ‘Report of the investigations of unusual illnesses allegedly produced by Endosulfan exposure in Padre village, of Kasargode district (N. Kerala),’ which is proved to be fundamentally flawed. NGOs like Kasargod-based Thanal and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) have all produced reports linking Endosulfan to adverse health problems including cancer, infertility, birth defects and neurotic disorder. However, not only are these based on the tainted NIOH reports, but also deliberate.
A $3,250 donation was made to Thanal in 2001 by EU-funded Pesticides Action Network (PAN). A similar contribution was made by the EU to Sunita Narain-led CSE to implement a project on ‘Polley Research and Awareness Creation in the Field of Environmental Health Interface and Development of an Alternative Pollution Monitoring System’ from 2000 to 2006. One of the objectives of the CSE programme was to ‘catalyse the formation of pressure groups.’ The intent of these pressure groups is quite obvious. (Copies of these documents are with site owners) Studies that produced results proving that Endosulfan did not cause the claimed health ailments were mocked and rejected. Such was the case of a Kerala Agricultural University study that pointed out insignificant residues of Endosulfan in samples in February 2001. CSE had also targeted Pepsi and Coca Cola alleging that their soft drinks had high residues of pesticides. Their finds were later quashed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare...http://www.whybanendosulfan.org/eu-funding-ngo.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment